| Type of Restrictive Eating Pattern | Corrective Measures |
|---|---|
| Excessive restriction of food intake, i.e., ingestion of <1,800 kcal of energy per day, which ordinarily leads to unsatisfactory intake of nutrients compared with the amounts needed by lactating women | Encourage increased intake of nutrient-rich foods to achieve an energy intake of at least 1,800 kcal/day; if the mother insists on curbing food intake sharply, promote substitution of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein for those lower in nutritive value; in individual cases, it may be advisable to recommend a balanced multivitamin-mineral supplement; discourage use of liquid weight loss diets and appetite suppressants |
| Complete vegetarianism, i.e., avoidance of all animal foods, including meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs | Advise intake of a regular source of vitamin B12, such as special vitamin B12-containing plant food products or a 2.6-µg vitamin B12 supplement daily |
| Avoidance of milk, cheese, or other calcium-rich dairy products | Encourage increased intake of other culturally appropriate dietary calcium sources, such as collard greens for blacks from the southeastern United States; provide information on the appropriate use of low-lactose dairy products if milk is being avoided because of lactose intolerance; if correction by diet cannot be achieved, it may be advisable to recommend 600 mg of elemental calcium per day taken with meals |
| Avoidance of vitamin D-fortified foods, such as fortified milk or cereal, combined with limited exposure to ultraviolet light | Recommend 10 µg of supplemental vitamin D per day |
From: 9, Meeting Maternal Nutrient Needs During Lactation
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